Enjoy the Ride

We spend many hours of our life preoccupied by things. Thoughts fill our mind and we dwell on them. When we take the time to really analyze them we find that most times we are worrying about nothing. Try to use this standard, if it is going to matter in 300 years worry about it, if not don’t sweat it. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Race day is filled with things to do. The schedule is posted in everyone’s trailer. We all live by it. We all plan our activity around driver’s meeting, tech line opening, on line for qualifying, on line for the race. On race day these are some of the important things we have to keep track of. For some, chapel also falls into that category. Of course, I think it should have a higher priority but I understand.

We have a similar schedule in life, our agenda. The problem is sometimes our agenda doesn’t fit with what is truly important. Our priorities are not in line with God’s priorities. Our lives will be so much fuller and satisfying when we surrender our agenda and submit to letting God guide and direct us. We need to follow the Holy Spirit in our heart.

I received an email the other day, went something like this, Good Morning, This is God. I will be handling all your problems today. I will not need your help. So relax and enjoy the ride.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could just do that? There is so much freedom in sitting back and letting God have control. We have been visiting the verse from Jeremiah for several weeks now but it is an important verse to commit to memory.

Jeremiah 29:11-13, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

God’s plan for our lives requires only that we surrender to him and let him lead. He has good things for us, things to give us hope and a future, things to prosper us. I encourage you to relax and enjoy the ride.

In life things come and go too fast. The season ends just as we are getting a handle on it. Life too, is short. We are here for only a short time. No one knows the day or hour when we will be called before God. We must not waste time being anxious about things that really don’t matter. We need to adjust our priorities.

This past weekend we were in Concord, NC to participate in the John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout. We celebrated the life of a racer who touched many of our lives. John Blewett III was a racer. He also loved life and other people. He possessed the character of a true friend, he put others first. As we remember John, we remember how he touched our lives. Even if we only had a moment with him, he left a lasting impression. John loved, he laughed, he cared, he helped, he led, he supported, he shared, he was gracious and merciful. He demonstrated for us what it means to put others ahead of your agenda. He will be remembered each day we reach out and do the same for someone else.

Loving and caring for others is the right agenda. Putting other’s needs ahead of ours is the right way to live. Listen to how God cares for us.

John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

And Paul writes about how unconditional love responds in our daily life;

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

God cares for us and loves us. God has plans for our life. Plans to prosper us, give us hope and a future. We also need to demonstrate that love to others. A relationship with God will enable us to do that. We need to follow through and give God control. We need to relinquish our agenda and enjoy the ride. God Bless, Rev. Don

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

What a glorious time we had in Concord. We always enjoy the hospitality we receive from the folks down there, but this year we experienced a tremendous blessing. Do you remember that schedule I was talking about? God had other plans. We scheduled chapel for 11:10, when we arrived we found out drivers meeting was at 11:15; time to be flexible. We then moved it to 11:30, but the pit party was supposed to start then and who knows how that would work out. We went with it anyway and as things go the Saturday schedule was a little behind and we didn’t get started until about 12:00. I remember a few months ago someone asked me when chapel would be at Concord and I said 12:00 in Victory Lane. Guess what, that’s when chapel started. We had such a tremendous outpouring of attendees we ran out of bulletins! WOW! God has a plan and it is good.

Later in the day we received the proceeds from the John Blewett III Memorial Motorcycle Poker Run. Again, we were overwhelmed at the outpouring of support for this ministry in memory of John. Thank You to everyone who contributed. Special thanks go out to Crystal and her helpers for putting such a great event together. Dan and I cannot express how much it means to us that you care and it is a tremendous encouragement for us to continue. Rev. Pat and John are standing arm in arm, smiling down on us.

This was a difficult weekend for the Blewett family and I was able to have some time with each of them. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers, this is still a difficult time for them.

Jimmy gave the family something to cheer about. He put his Tour Mod on the pole and won the SK mod feature. There were many tears in Victory Lane as the family celebrated the victory. Jimmy now has his own JBIII Memorial North-South Shootout helmet to wear in honor of John.

We had a guest appearance from a taxicab driver. Dale Quarterly drove the Brady Bunch #00 for the first time on an oval track. He has been in a Mod once before for Joe at Watkins Glen. The track at Concord is like a road course to some so Dale figured he would give it a shot. He did well, maybe this is a sign of things to come.

Another surprise visitor was Tinker, two days removed from surgery and he was back at the track. He has already regained feeling in his legs and feet. That is tremendous news and an answer to prayer.

God truly blessed us this weekend. We would like to thank Andy and Sue Santerre for lending us the team van to use. We can’t say enough about the encouragement, support and kind words we receive from all of you, thank you.

Well the season postseason wraps up with the Turkey Derby at Wall Township Speedway in New Jersey. We will see you there.

Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Online Apparel Store at www.RWJM.org. Call us with your prayer and counseling needs and list all your prayer needs, no matter what part of our racing family you are in, with the Racing Family Prayer Request Page www.rwjm.org/page/prayers.php also send your prayer request by mail. Until next time, remember that God loves you, we love you and

Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.

Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586, Tolland, CT 06084. Check our weekly printed pages in “Area Auto Racing News”, the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper” See our on-line Apparel Store for subscription information. Check our home page www.rwjm.org for past articles. We invite you to input your thoughts as you sign our Guest Book. Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful financial support.

Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don

CHECKERED CHEERS

***WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES***

November 10

BOB & DOTTIE PARK- This Northport, LI veteran NASCAR WMT driver and wife, also parents of NASCAR driver Steve, share their anniversary.

RON & INGRID D’ALESSANDRO- This Agawam, MA former asphalt Modified driver and current WRS Modified crewman and wife share their 7th.

November 11

MIKE & JULIE STEFANIK- The West Greenwich, RI multi-time NASCAR WMT, including 2006, and NASCAR BNS GRAND NATIONAL champion and wife/GM of Koszela Speed Warehouse share their 23rd anniversary.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

November 7

KELLY YANETTA- This New Jersey Powder Puff Go-Kart Club driver.

JOE LARSEN, JR- The son of Linda and NASCAR Mod tour official Joe, SR.

November 8

ED BERRIER- Winston-Salem, NC BGN driver.

RUSS BROWN- Mannsville, NY NASCAR BES driver.

KERRY ANDERSON- Scarborough, ME occasional NASCAR BES driver.

HOMER KEINERT- Mahoning Valley Speedway driver.

DEDE HAYES- Wife of NH photographer Rich.

November 9

DICK DISBROW- NJ asphalt Mod driver.

TERRY MARCOVIC- PA/NJ asphalt Mod driver.

RICK CARELLI- Arvada, CO CTS driver.

CHRISTINE STEFANIK- The second of Mike and Julie’s girls has turned 16.

WILL WRIGHT- Godson of BES#84 Driver Dion Ciccarelli and son of Glidden Motorsports Marketing Dir. Gerry Wright has his 3rd birthday.

DANA MAE KOST- Daughter of WC crewman Mike is 12.

November 10

DAWN DIPPEL- AARN “Third Turn” columnist.

November 11

BOB POLVERARI- Riverside Park Speedway multi-time Modified champion, retired NASCAR Modified Tour and TVMOD hotshoe.

BRIAN WEBBER- Long Island NASCAR BES driver.

BARRY BODINE- CTS driving son of Geoff.

ROY PAYNE- Alvin, TX ARCA driver.

GEORGE SAVARY- Retired Massachusetts former Modified driver, and top Mini Modified threat.

MIKE RYAN- Springfield, MA NASCAR WMT/NASCAR BES crewman, brother of photographer Gracie Ryan.

BOBBY CAVALLERO- Farmingdale, NJ Wall Township Speedway and NEXTEL Cup fan turns 9.

November 12

JOHN ANDERSON- Southington, CT retired Mod driver.

RYAN OLSEN- Son of No. Haverhill, NH Little Tree Air Fresheners NASCAR BES driver Mike and wife Vicki is 9.

November 13

KENNY TREMONT, JR.- West Sand Lake, NY Lebanon Valley Speedway based Modified driver.

TRACY GORDON- Strong, ME BES driver.

RICK MILLER- Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Mod driver.

RENE CHARLAND- “Da’ Champ”, retired four time NASCAR Sportsman champion and dad of Fonda driver Rick.

TOMMY PORTER, JR.- Savannah, GA All Pro driver.

LOUIE MAIETTA- Brother of multi-time Beech Ridge LM champion Mike, Sr.

ROGER SAVLUK- Lisbon, CT Savluk’s Service partner.

SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084

Sources: Rev. Don Rivers/RWJM

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